LTGI Rehearsing for “Cinderella”
Opening July 12 at TAMIU

“Cinderella,” the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, will be presented by the Laredo Theater Guild International (LTGI) July 12-22 at Texas A&M International University’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.

The 2011-2012 LTGI season finale is presented in cooperation with TAMIU and produced by Joe Arciniega. It is directed by Veronica Ramirez with Vernon Carroll as advisory director. Musical director and live orchestra conductor is TAMIU’s Brendan Townsend and choreographer will be Cristina Greco. Laredo Community College’s Joe Crabtree and his wife, TAMIU’s Dana Crabtree, are choral directors and vocal coaches for the show, and are cast as King and Queen of the land.

Other cast members include Alexander High School sophomore Kristelle Martin in the title role, recent TAMIU graduate Ricardo Holguin as the prince and San Antonio’s Melissa Barrera Gonzalez as the wicked stepmother. In the classic, centuries-old theater tradition of men playing women for comedic effect, Joshua Goldberg and Alejandro Lopez, Laredoans studying theater in New York City, play Cinderella’s two wicked stepsisters, Joy and Portia.

Producer Arciniega said the annual summer musical is truly representative of the Laredo community.

“Our annual summer musical engages members of the entire community, including students from UISD, LISD, home school and private school, as well as TAMIU and LCC. All are fully represented at all levels in this cast,” Arciniega said.

The stage version of Cinderella was originally written for television as a starring vehicle for Julie Andrews and its 1957 live broadcast was seen by over 100 million people. A 1965 TV version starred Leslie Ann Warren, and was an annual favorite for the baby boomer generation.

Director Veronica Ramirez said that memory is special for her.

“I loved watching Leslie Ann Warren in this year after year, and so this is a childhood dream project for me. I brought it to Joe Arciniega when LTGI launched its first season three years ago. I can’t believe this is coming together at last,” she said.